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2A071B Career Guide

Air Force

2A071B: Avionics Test Station Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Test Station Specialist (2A071B)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2A071B veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Electronics Engineer Technician

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or related fieldSpecific software proficiency (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW)

Calibration Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Formal certification in calibration (e.g., ASQ)Knowledge of specific industry standards (e.g., ISO 17025)

Field Service Technician (Aerospace)

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong customer service skillsOEM training on specific aircraft systems

Quality Control Inspector (Electronics)

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)Proficiency in using inspection tools and softwareASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2A071B training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an avionics technician, you constantly analyze complex systems (radar, EW, flight control) to understand their interdependencies and predict how changes in one component will affect the overall system performance. You use schematics, test flows, and diagnostic software to build mental models of these systems.

This ability to understand and predict how complex systems behave translates directly to roles where you need to analyze and optimize processes, whether it's in manufacturing, logistics, or even financial modeling.

Procedural Compliance

Your work is governed by strict maintenance standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements. You follow detailed procedures for everything from equipment calibration to hazardous waste disposal, ensuring that every task is performed correctly and safely.

This meticulous approach and commitment to following established protocols are highly valued in regulated industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or finance, where adherence to procedures is critical for safety and compliance.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You're skilled at troubleshooting and repairing complex systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You can quickly adapt your approach, find creative solutions, and maintain system functionality even when things aren't working perfectly.

This ability to perform effectively in challenging situations translates to roles where you need to handle unexpected problems, make quick decisions, and keep critical systems running, such as in emergency management, disaster recovery, or even IT support.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a high level of awareness of the status of avionics systems, test equipment, and the surrounding environment. You anticipate potential problems, identify safety hazards, and take proactive measures to prevent accidents and ensure mission success.

Your heightened awareness and ability to anticipate problems are valuable assets in roles where you need to monitor complex environments, identify potential risks, and take preventative action, such as in security management, quality control, or process safety.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Industrial Control Systems Technician

SOC 49-9044

You've been working with complex electronic systems and troubleshooting them at a component level. Your experience repairing and calibrating avionics test equipment translates directly to the skills needed to maintain and repair industrial control systems, which are the backbone of modern manufacturing and infrastructure.

Quality Assurance Specialist

SOC 19-4041

Your meticulous approach to maintenance, calibration, and inspection, combined with your understanding of complex systems, makes you an ideal candidate for ensuring that products and processes meet the highest standards. You are already familiar with compliance, documentation, and problem-solving.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've been trained to repair and maintain complex electromechanical systems with tight tolerances. Robotics technicians use similar skills to install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain robotic systems used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries. Your skills in electronics, mechanics, and computer programming will be highly valuable.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Test Station Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

1,120 training hours28 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • Avionics principles and theory
  • Operation of avionics test equipment
  • Malfunction analysis and troubleshooting
  • Repair of electronic warfare systems
  • Sensor system maintenance
  • Calibration and alignment procedures
  • Use of diagnostic equipment
  • Maintenance data collection and reporting

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Focus on specific troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and current electronics technology not covered in military training.

CompTIA A+60% covered

Study current PC hardware, operating systems, networking, security, and troubleshooting methodologies specific to civilian IT environments.

ETA International Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET)75% covered

Requires knowledge of FAA regulations, aircraft-specific systems outside of military applications, and documentation procedures.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Test Engineer (CTE)Six Sigma Green BeltProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/USM-636(V) Forward Avionics Intermediate Shop (FAIS)Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems, such as those from Teradyne or Keysight Technologies
AN/ALM-285 Radar Test SetRadar test equipment from manufacturers like Rohde & Schwarz or National Instruments
AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS)Electronic warfare test and simulation software, such as those used for development and validation of EW systems in aerospace companies.
Common Munitions Built-In Test (BIT) Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE)Embedded systems programming and testing tools, such as JTAG debuggers and in-circuit emulators.
Integrated Avionics Test Stations (IATS)Automated testing platforms in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance facilities
Electronic Consolidated Automated Support System (eCASS)General purpose automated test equipment used in electronics manufacturing and repair

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